Babatunji Wusu –
- Governor Caleb Mutfwang pledges support for traders and plans to remodel Katako Market after a destructive fire.
- The fire, the 39th in the market’s 40-year history, caused significant losses but no fatalities.
- The Governor’s visit marked the first time a sitting governor has personally inspected the market.
- Plans are in place to revitalize and remodel the market into a safer, more efficient trading hub.
- The Governor commended efforts by security agencies and fire services in managing the incident.
- Challenges cited by market leadership include the lack of firefighting equipment, water supply, and poor market layout, all contributing to recurring fires.
- The Governor is also focused on improving other markets in the state, with an emphasis on expansion, accessibility, and safety for traders.
Governor Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau State has pledged to support traders and undertake the remodeling of the Katako Market in Jos North LGA, following a devastating fire that destroyed parts of the market. This fire, which occurred on Sunday night, was the 39th fire incident in the market’s 40-year history.
The Governor, who led a team of government officials to assess the damage, expressed gratitude that no lives were lost in the fire. He offered his sympathy to those who were injured or lost property, acknowledging the severe impact on the affected traders and their families. Mutfwang’s visit marked a historic first—he is the first sitting governor to personally inspect the market in its four decades of existence, despite the market’s history of frequent fires.
Governor Mutfwang emphasized that the fire occurred at a time when many residents are already facing significant economic difficulties. He assured traders that the state government, in collaboration with the local government and market leadership, would work on plans to revitalize and remodel the market into a safer, more organized business hub.
The Governor also commended the efforts of security agencies, the fire service, and volunteers who helped contain the blaze. He promised that the government would address the traders’ concerns, particularly the lack of firefighting equipment, insufficient water supply, and poor market layout, which have contributed to the recurrent fires.
Mutfwang further shared plans to enhance the Terminus Market and other markets in the state. His vision includes expanding market facilities to reduce congestion and improve accessibility, ensuring safer and more productive environments for traders. He expressed optimism that these developments would benefit the state and its people in the long term.
Sani Umar, Chairman of Katako Market, thanked the Governor for his timely visit and underscored the market’s persistent challenges. He revealed that the recent fire had completely destroyed key sections of the market, including stalls for wood, clothing, and carpentry, resulting in property losses valued at millions of naira.
